Baltimore fund launches a national mini-accelerator aimed at Black and Latinx founders

A Baltimore-based fund that invests in startups within insurance, cybersecurity, fintech, frontier enterprise and healthcare-related technology fields just launched a new program for early-stage entrepreneurs.

On Friday, Luke Cooper of Latimer Ventures announced plans for a “culturally competent” mini-accelerator called Latimer House. The 60-day program aims to strengthen businesses, attract investment and build a network for founders with shared experiences. According to its website, Latimer House is particularly aimed at Black and Latinx founders.

This flagship program will be led by newly appointed program manager Juwan Platt and will cover everything from foundational to advanced concepts over what Cooper said will be “eight intensive weeks.” It is a hybrid program, with an in-person program kickoff in Baltimore.

“Our program combines hands-on exercises, practical sessions, and case studies, emphasizing thinking big while executing pragmatically,” said Cooper, who has navigated the entrepreneurial journey himself, in a LinkedIn post. “Excited to share my passion for developing thriving communities of color!”

Cooper has already been mentoring and investing in entrepreneurs whose visions align with Latimer House’s mission, including the husband-and-wife duo from Detroit-founded Black Tech Saturdays. The pair, like Cooper, hope to give back to founders.

Six founders from around the US are already set to participate in the program. The goal is for them to review their vision and mission, as well as focus on corporate development, mergers and acquisitions.

Learn more about the first Latimer House cohort:

• Freight solutions company LogisX was founded by Deshorn King. The platform aims to help shippers and carriers by providing a “seamless, transparent, and cost-effective” solution for their freight needs, according to the company’s website.
• 2023 Techstars DC participant Eduardo Cabrera Castillo is the founder of a traffic management software company Smart Border Systems.
• Personal Injury Collective, founded by Tamara Brown, is a platform trying to reduce the carbon footprint of insurance processes.
• Javier Evelyn founded a Detriot-based software development company called Alerje. The company is working toward developing technology to improve the lives of those with food allergies.
• Advanced Tech Solutions, a home and computer networking company, was founded by Crea Moore, a former chemist based in Tulsa Oklahoma,
• Ashley Williams is the CEO and founder of RIZZARR, a content marketplace for content creators.

Latimer House is still accepting applications on a rolling basis.

Apply to be a part of Latimer House